“One of the finest wines” ever from Monte Antico
- 94 pts James Suckling94 pts JS
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2016 Monte Antico Supremus Toscana IGT 750 ml
- Curated by unrivaled experts
- Choose your delivery date
- Temperature controlled shipping options
- Get credited back if a wine fails to impress
Beguiling Super-Tuscan Bargain
The story of the 2016 Monte Antico Supremus starts with five words: “You have to try this.”
They were spoken to our own Eduardo Dingler by his partner, Laura—who at the time was wine director for chef Michael Chiarello’s Bottega restaurant in Napa (and whose talents we’ve since claimed for Wine Access!). “I had to fight Bottega for an allocation of this Super Tuscan for Wine Access,” Eduardo told us.
The outstanding 2016 vintage, believe it or not, might even top Tuscany’s great 2015. The beautiful season gave Monte Antico’s famed consulting enologist Franco Bernabei (Fontodi, Felsina, Banfi, Molino di Grace) the raw materials, sourced from Chianti Classico to the Maremma, with which to craft a stellar blend.
Harvested at the peak of ripeness, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks before an extended 15- to 20-day maceration on the skins. The wine spent 14 months in 70% new Allier oak barriques, then another six months in bottle prior to release.
Deep ruby with crimson overtones, it’s got aromas of black cherry, sun-kissed plum, and smashed raspberry preserves accented by wildflowers, sweet resinous herbs, and dried strawberries. Juicy and buoyant on the palate with an Italian angularity, it begs to be paired with pasta, pizza, cheese, or roasted meat. It’s also outstanding on its own.
Pour this blend of 75% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot and you’ll see why James Suckling called this 94-point Super Tuscan “one of the finest wines” Monte Antico has ever made.